Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-12-08

A~DA-AA 49, ~ AAA1 0@tACAfH
professedly on an equal footing with
the original States. But the new State
OF Ohio was admitted with restrictions
and on condition as degrading In their
character as they were injurious to the
future prosperity Of the inhabitants.
See Burneps Notes, chapter XVIII.)
THE FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL cONvEE-
TIoN.
SIT Is q fact worthy Of some notice."
says Judge Burnet, "that those who
advocated the Immediate formation Of
State government, were unwilling to
refer the decision of that question to
the Legislature Of the Territory, or to
take the opinion Of the inhabitants
whether q convention should be called
or not. AS the safer way to accomplish
their purpose they petltioned Congress
to take the power into their own hands
and order convention, without con-
sulting either the Legislature or the
people Of the district.
"The application Of those individuals
unauthorized as II was by any legiti-
mate authority recognized In the district
was sustained, and Congress proceeded
forthwith to pass law not only auth
orizing, but in pretty plain terms urging
the people of the eastern division of the
territory to form a constitution and
State government. That law prescrib-
ed the boundaries of the State, fixed the
number of members of which the con-
vention should consist, and apportion-
ed the number to be chosen by each
county. It also changed the qualifica-
tions Of electors, prescribed by the ordi-
nance, and appointed the time and
place of holding the election.
''Mr. Fearing, the delegate then rep
resenting the territory in Congress,
resisted the proposition for calling a
convention, on the same grounds which
are here stated-that neither the peO--
pie of the territory at large, nor their
representatives In the General Assem-
bly, had been consulted; and that the
project before Congress was neither
more nor less than mandate directing
the citizens to elect convention; and
ordering that body when assembled, if
they assented to the conditions propOs-
ed, to proceed and form constitution
for the people of the Territory, without
ascertaining whether it met the views
of the majority of them or not. The
| reader will also find that other members
of Congress viewed the project in the
same light and opposed it for the same
cause; and the people of the Territory
expressed the same opinion at their
public meetings. Yet, Congress with
out consulting either, ordered conven-
tion and directed all the. details con-
cerning it."
1t was, however, silently submitted
to, and the members of the convention.
35 in number, were chosen in the man
ner prescribed. The most intelligent
men of each county were chosen. Says
Judge Burnet:
among the ten delegates from
Hamilton county was jeremiah Nor
row, who has since filled an ample
space in the estimation and confidence
of the nation; Francis Dunlavy, a
veteran pioneer of talents, of liberal
education, and of unbending integrity,
was chosen. John Smith and John
Reilly, both men of strong minds and
irreproachable characters, were also of
the number.
Among the delegates from Jefferson
county was Bezaleel Wells; from
Adams, Gen. Darlington; from Ross,
Gen. Massie, Gov. Washington and
Gov. Tiffin; from Trumbull, Gov.
Huntington; from Washington, Eph-
rain Cutler, Benjamin Ives Gilman,
and the venerable Gen. Rufus Putnam;
all of them men of vigorous minds, and
high standing in the confidence of their
fellow citizens"
1908, the convention assembled at
l An ,sa
of paramount Importance to our we'll
being as a State ever after, we give the
names of it's thirty-five members in full
according to counties:
Adams Joseph Darlington, Thomas
Kirker and Israel Donaldson.
Hamilton-Francis Dunlavy, John
Paul, jeremiah Morrow, John Wilson,
Charles Wylling Byrd, John Smith,
John Reilly, William Goforth, John w.
Browne and John KircEel.
Ross-Edward Tiffin, Nathaniel
Massie, Thomas Worthington, Michael
Baldwin and James Grubb.
Jefferson-Rudolph Bair, John
Milligant George Humphrey, Bezaleel
Wells and Nathan Updegraff.
Trumbull-Samuel Huntington and
David Abbot.
Belmont-James Caldwell and Elijah
| Woods.
Fairfield -Emauel Carpenter and
Henry Abrahams.
Washington Ephraim Cutler, Rufus
Putnam, John Mcintyre and Benjamin
Ives Gilman.
Clermont-Philip Catch and James
Sargent.
On the succeeding day they assem-
hled and elected Edward Tiffin Presi-
dent and Thomas Scott Secretary. Be
fore they proceeded to business Gov.
st. Clair proposed to address them in
his official character. This proposition
was resisted by several of the members.
After it had been discussed for some
time mention was made and adopted
by majority of five, couched in these
words; "That Arthur st. Clair, sr.. esq.,,
be permitted to address the convention
on those points which he. deems Of
Importance The phraseology of the
motion appears to have been adopted
to mortify his feelings, ifnot to offer O
personal insult. After the Governor
had made his speech-which was
; sensible and conciliaterya resolution
was offered declaring that ''it is now
expendient to form constitution and
! State Government" Although more
than fourth had expressed opinions
against the expdiency of the measure
vet the resolution was carried by a vote
of SO to1, two members being absent
: and Judge Cutler, an indOmitabte